Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Now I am Just Me
Tong Yao, whose stage name is Seongso, experienced a K-pop idol's glittering and fast-paced life. Renowned for athletic skills and dance, she became a core member of her group and experienced a fairly successful career. As one of the few foreign Chinese idols in the K-pop industry, her name became a staple in her country where she was highly anticipated during music shows.
Tong Yao's fascination with becoming a trailblazer began in her early childhood after she watched a documentary about the revered High Priestess Miko. She was an icon in her own right, challenging the societal norms of that time that shattered the hopes of young female musicians. Miko was adamant about overcoming the ingrained prejudice and restrictive gender norms. She paved the way for improvement in the predominantly male entertainment industry. Yet, just as she reached the peak of her career, she mysteriously vanished. The documentary continued on by recounting the obstacles that Miko endured in order to achieve her dreams. Miko's influence continued to inspire many young women even after she vanished from the world's view, one of them being a little girl who was captivated by her life and whose eyes now, were alight with a fire ignited by the film. And so begins her journey exploring different skills and talents to discover where she is good at, following in the footsteps of her idol, Miko, the arts.
With no fixed system in place, the Chinese idol industry was still in its infancy. Without any connection, being recognized by the public in this sector was close to impossible. At the tender age of fourteen, Tong Yao embarked on a lengthy and difficult journey to pursue her dream of becoming an idol. Leaving behind her home, she ventured to South Korea, the epicenter of the flourishing idol industry.
(Note: Cheng Xiao actually started as a trainee at the age of 16 but I decided for the sake of the timeline and to lower her age for the sake of having a close age as in the drama. Anyways, the typical age for trainees in SK is 12-13 so this isn't really that far off from reality)
However, becoming an idol isn't simply a matter of declaring it. It requires sufficient training. The rigorous practice begins early, as K-pop trainees undergo a system that includes classes in manners, language, dance, and choreography once they are under contract. The road has not been paved and was covered with sticks and stones. Filled with numerous contenders, standing out required more than just having a physical appearance that fits the beauty standards. It's even harder for foreigners to fit in. With no company willing to take her in, Tong Yao decided to try her luck and join an Idol Survival Show where the audience would vote for the winners and become a part of a girl group. Competition was tough and as a foreigner, she was at a disadvantage as she had barely learned the language and had no one to support her as a company-less participant. It's akin to having participated in an Ironman triathlon tournament that only the toughest and most determined individuals can finish. After relentless effort, perseverance, and determination, Tong Yao was able to win the hearts of the audience to vote for her and finally crossed the imaginary line and debuted as a member of the group with the stage name Seongso and immediately rose to fame.
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From the start of their career, Seongso’s group was highly anticipated by fans who have done their best during the voting season to elevate their ranks. Their debut single was a hit and was widely played throughout the country. Seongso herself was fairly active spending her time fruitfully participating in group activities, promoting their music, and joining variety shows and music events. Since she was young, she has always tried to learn different skill sets and has fortunately been an active and sporty person. She made a name for herself in the Idol Star Athletics Championships where she became renowned for her gymnastic skills which made her a favorite guest in variety shows. As she ventured more into the entertainment world, she started learning new things and honing her skills.
Yet despite being active and getting the group’s name out there, it doesn’t always pay off. Not when your main job is being an idol. Music and the songs that you put out are what determine the group’s success. Yet most idol groups do not have the autonomy to choose which song they can sing. Seongso wanted to try her hands on songwriting but was often looked down upon due to her age and inexperience. Companies are often after profitable gains rather than artistic pleasure. While the K-pop industry is flourishing, it’s set system became a binding restriction that deprives artists that are not from big companies of choice for their chosen craft. There is a set producer and choreographer that strictly want their rules followed. The lack of creative freedom became suffocating for Seongso who longed to further improve in her chosen path. With the restrictions on the creative direction they can partake in, her group had its wins and loses. A side to the industry that she was fast becoming familiar with.
In order to expand their influence, the management company decided to send Seongso back to her country and focus on solo activities in hopes of creating a new path for the group. Having made a name for herself in South Korea, she came back to discover that she has become well known for her athleticism and wit to her countrymen. Seongso went back to China where she participated in various shows, started acting on dramas, and was a mentor in a survival show.
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An idol's existence is not without its highs and lows. Every day was meticulously arranged according to the tried and tested system, including many hours on set making visually spectacular music videos, multiple outfit changes for the never-ending picture shoots, hard rehearsals to polish every dance move and round-the-world trips for thrilling world tours. While idols are sometimes viewed as ethereal, transcendent entities that are kept high and out of reach, underneath their sparkling exterior are regular people. Even while she relished the admiration of her countless fans, the never-ending pace eventually began to consume her, leaving her emotionally spent, completely depleted, and longing for normalcy than the glittering splendor of the public's attention.
It goes without saying that idols are not immortal beings. Despite their frequent admiration and reverence, they are not celestial beings who will forever bask in the limelight. There will come a day when they, too, will be subjected to the same mortal limitations as anyone else. Idols under an entertainment management company, have a career span of 7 years. For survival show idol groups, the career span is even shorter. As the group is composed of girls from different companies, their activities will only last for two years. Even after becoming idols, the journey won't be smooth sailing. A time limit is set and they must work even harder to make each and every moment count. Once all the sand of time have dropped at the bottom of the hourglass, they will eventually have to transition to other endeavors.
After her contract ended, Seongso made a decision that would alter the course of her life. She chose to gracefully step away from the K-pop industry, bidding farewell to the glamour and affection she had attained, all in the pursuit of a life that truly resonated with her. The two years she spent as an idol may have been short but it was one she found to be a fulfilling experience having seen the other side of the coin of what her idol, Miko, must’ve experienced before ultimately vanishing from the limelight. Although the world was taken aback and her fans left heartbroken, her determination remained unwavering. Her stage name Seongso has retired.
Now she was just Tong Yao.